Electric baseball game



Oct. 29, 1957 J. L. PlTTS ELECTRIC BASEBALL GAME Filed July 13. 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN Doe f A THE :T V MAN n I N VE NTOR JoH/v L. P/-rrs l S ATTORNEY Oct. 29, 1957 J. L. Pn'Ts A '2,81'15357* ELECTRIC BASEBALL GAME l Filed July 15. 195s 2" sheetslshefc 2 /'Z 62 24 r im u u I i ,ff Z5 2.9 j 32 I /0 ,554 335 A /53 4f F E 'L l l/l/ [NVENTOR AVS ATTORNEY ELECTRIC BASEBALL GAME John L. Pitts, Belcher, La. Application July 13, 1953, Serial No. 367,647

1 Claim. (Cl. 273-88) This invention relates to an electric baseball game,

and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and efficient game comprising a game board marked off to represent two baseball fields, one field being the offensive field and the other field being the defensive field.

A further object of the invention is the production of an electric baseball game, comprising a Battery and Light Unit, containing a plurality of plugs connected electrically through certain signals such as lights to the positive of the source of electrical supply selectively located within a unit, and a single plug electrically connected to the negative of the source of electrical supply.

Another object of the invention is the production of an electric baseball game comprising a gameboard having sockets located at selected positions upon two conventional baseball fields, one field being the offensive field and the other being the defensive field; sockets being provided upon the board representing player positions on the playing field of the offensive field and being electrically connected to correspondingly positioned sockets on the playing field of a defensive field, sockets on the offensive field representing batters box electrically connected to corresponding sockets on defensive field representing pitchers mound; the sockets on defensive field being adapted to receive a plurality of plugs electrically connected to selected lights, said plugs being operated by defensive player to form open circuits of the offensive field sockets, the sockets on offensive field being adapted to receive a lone plug electrically connected negatively t a source of electrical supply, said plug being operated by offensive player to close one circuit of the above mentioned open circuits-thus lighting up one of certain lights on separate battery and light unit for designating a certain play of the game.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear throughout the following specification and claim.

ln the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the game board;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the game board, illustrating the electrical circuits in diagram;

Figure 3` is an end elevational view of the game board, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the battery and light unit;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary irregular section extending longitudinally through the garneboard to show a typical circuit, the section also extending through the battery and light unit, and shield;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembled elements of one typical circuit;

Figure 7 isa fragmentary front elevational view of a part of the game board, Showing the score board;

Figure 8 i s aA front view of a typical score board disc;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a playing piece;

Figure 10 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of' the game board, illustrating a special type of circuit formation;

Figure l1 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure 10.

By referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that 10 designates a game board or panel against which abuts a score board 11, along its rear edge 12 near one end of the board. The game board may be contained in a box, in which it is shipped, and the score board may be placed between the game board and one side of the container or box to support the score board in an upright position. Thescore board 11 preferably extends vertically while the game board 10 preferably extends horizontally. A plurality of counting discs 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 are rotatably carried near the top edge of the score board 11 to facilitate the counting of strikes, balls, fouls, outs, and runs, respectively, and extending inthis order from left to right, as shown in Figure 7. Aligned viewing slots 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22, respectively arranged from left to right, are formed in the score boardY 11, and the counting discs are adapted to be rotated in a conventional manner to bring certain designations thereon into registration'with the respective slots. For an eX- ample, the fouls disc 15 is marked on a radius 0, 1F1, 2Fl, 3F2 and 4F3, as' shown in Figure 8, and as the disc 15 is rotated, selected markings on disc 15 are brought into registration with the viewing' slot 20 to indicate the number of fouls and result, and the disc 13 is marked in sequence .0, '1, 2,v 3 out indicating the strikes. The disc 14 is marked in sequence 0, l, 2, 3, 4 walk to indicate the balls. The disc 15 indicates the fouls as set forth above, and the disc 16 is marked 0, l, 2, 3, A4 and 7, while the disc 17 is marked in sequence l to l0 inclusive, in the conventional manner common to such score boards. For an example, if 3PZ is shown inV slot 20, this notes that there are three fouls on the batter which both players should note vand should see F2 of Section III of the Rules set forth in the following description according to the directions' on the score board. The numeral 3 onV the score board in this instance indicates 3 fouls on the batter, of which fact both players should take note. The space 23 may be used for advertising purposes.

As is shown in Figure 1, the game board 10 carries an offensive. field A extending longitudinally of the horizontal board 10 near one end thereof, and a defensive field B, extending transversely of the board 10, near the opposite end thereof. These fields are divided or separated by a vertical or upright partition or shield 24. The shield 24 is to hide the defensive field B from view of the offensive player only, as required in Rule III, I, set forth in the following. The shield 24 is braced at its respective ends by the oppositely bent flanges 25 and 26, the lower ends of which constitute tongues 27 and 28, which tongues abut the respective rear and front faces or edges of the board 10, as shown in Figure 3. The shield 24 is preferably detachable so as to be stored flat in a game box 9 of a suitable type, in which the game apparatus may be shipped, stored or kept. When in a set up position, the tongues 27 and 28 of the shield fit between the game board 10 and the box or container to assist in holding the parts together.

The shield 24 is notched as at 29, to straddle the battery and light unit 30 mounted in a suitable housing as shown. The-battery and light unit 30 includes preferably a bank 30a of four colored lamp bulbs, such as a red bulb 31, a green. bulb 32, a blue bulb 33, and a yellow bulb 34, arranged in a row on the unit 30, transversely of the game board 10, with the shield or partition 24 spanning the row of bulbs, so that the bulbs may be viewed upon either side of the shield 24, that is to say upon one side of the shield by the offensive player, and upon theV other side by the defensive player. The bulbsl 31 to `34 inclusive, may be of any conventional type nclud'ng the conventional white bulb with a suitably colored cap or cover placed thereover, within the scope of the invention. The battery and light unit is preferably separable from the game board 10 and fits into a suitable opening formed in the game board. It however, may be mounted in any desired manner, within the scope of the invention. The shield or partition 24 is provided with a plurality of notches 162, preferably' four in number, to receive and support the unused defensive field plugs. Space on both sides of shield may be used for advertising purposes.

The offensive playing field A is laid off in the form of a baseball field, and defines pitcher box, home plate, and first, second and third bases. A socket 3S is located at the pitcher box, behind which is located a slot a to receive a playing piece 36 representing a defensive player. The playing piece 36 is of the type shown in Figure 9, or in any other suitable formation which may be appropriate. A socket 37 is located at the home plate, behind which is formed a slot 37*L to receive a playing piece representing a catcher and behind the slot 37a is located a slot 38 to receive a playing piece representing an umpire. Other slots 39, 40 and 41 are located behind first, second and third bases, respectively, to receive playing pieces designating base umpires. Sockets 42, 43 and 44 are located near first, second and third bases, and behind these sockets are located slots 42a, 43a, and 44a, respectively, for receiving playing pieces representing first, second and third basemen. Between second and third bases in a conventional position is located a socket 45, and behind the socket 45 is located a slot 45a to receive a playing piece designating a conventional short stop.

- Sockets 46, 47 and 48 are located in conventional positions in the outfield, and slots 46, 47a, and 48a, are located adjacent these sockets to receive playing pieces designating, right, center and left field players. A slot 37b is located near the socket 37 to receive a playing piece representing the batter, and three slots 39h, 40h, and 41b are located near the three bases to receive base runners. Slots 39c and 41c are located adjacent first and third bases, respectively, to receive coaches. Thus, the playing field is set up in a conventional manner with players and umpires. A batters box 98 is preferably located near the lower outer corner of the offensive field A. Sockets 99, 100, 101, and 102, are located in the batters box 98, as shown in Figure 1. A row of slots 103, preferably nine in number, to receive playing pieces representing nine offensive players, preferably are formed in the board 10 adjacent the score board 11 and three other slots 104 are also located adjacent the slots 103 to receive playing pieces representing three defensive players. These slots 103 and 104 constitute the dugout.

The defensive field B is laid off in the form of a baseball field, preferably at right angles to the eld A, and is provided with sockets 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, and 110, designating proper positions of the pitcher, catcher, first and second bases, short stop, and third baseman, respectively, on the defensive field. Three sockets 111, 112 and 113 are located in the outfield designating proper positions of right, center and left fields respectively. A pitchers mound box 114 preferably is located behind the catcher socket 106 and is provided with sockets 11S, 116, 117 and 118, respectively.

The socket 115 of the pitchers mound box is connected in series with the socket 99 of the batters box 98 by means of a wire 119, the socket 116 with the socket 100 by means of a wire 120, the socket 117 with the socket 101 by means of a wire 121, and the socket 118 with the socket 102 by means of a wire 122. The sockets designating the player positions on the oensive field A are connected in series with the sockets designating similar playing positions on the defensive field B, as shown in Figure 2. For instance, the socket 35 is connected with the socket 105 by means of a wire 123, the socket 37 with the socket 106 by means of a wire 124, the socket 42 with the socket 107 by means of a wire 12S, the socket 43 with the socket 108 by means of a wire 126, the socket 44 with the socket 110 by means of a wire 127, the socket 45 with a socket 109 by means of a Wire 128, the socket 46 with the socket 111 by means of a wire 129, the socket 47 with the socket 112 by means of a wire 130, and the socket 48 with the socket 113 by means of a wire 131.

A battery 132 preferably is detachably secured in the preferably removable battery and light unit 30, as hereinafter described in detail. A wire 133 leads from the positive side of the battery 132 to the lamp sockets of the bulbs 31, 32, 33 and 34, which are carried in the battery and light box 30, and is connected to positive end of each socket. An offensive plug 134 is carried by the flexible wire 135, which wire is connected to the negative side of the battery 132. The negative side of the socket of the red light 31 is connected to a flexible Wire 136 having six branches 137 preferably colored red and each carrying a plug 138. The negative side of the socket of the green light 32 is connected to a exible wire 139, having two branches 140, preferably colored green, each carrying a plug 141. The negative side of the socket of the blue light 33 is connected to a fiexible wire 142, having three branches 143 preferably colored blue, and each carrying a plug 144. The negative side of the socket of the yellow light 34 is connected to a flexible wire 145, having two branches 146, preferably colored yellow, and each carrying a plug 147. A exible red Wire 148 also is connected to the negative side of the socket of the red light 31 and carries a plug 149. A exible greenvwire 150 is connected to the negative side of the socket of the green light 32 and carries a plug 151. A flexible blue Wire 152 is connected to the negative side of the socket of the blue light 33 and carries a plug 153. A flexible yellow wire 154 is connected to the negative side of the socket of the yellow light 34, and carries a plug 155. The wires 148, 150, 152 and 154 preferably are carried within a suitable flexible casing 156 having the ends of the wires with their plugs protruding from the end thereof, as shown in Figure l, to facilitate handling. rhe sockets preferably are formed in the nature of eyelets and pass completely through the game board 10 from the upper to the lower face, as shown in Figure 5, but may be of any suitable type to receive the plugs which are preferably of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6. All wires leading to the plugs and sockets are properly insulated.

The battery 132 fits into the battery and light unit 30 and is inserted from the under side. The contact plates 157 and 158 preferably are metal having spring tension fixed to the unit 30 and contacting the respective ends of the battery 132 to hold the battery in contact therewith.

In Figures l() and ll there is shown a modified form of game board wherein 10ai designates a game board of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2. One group of sockets 163 are arranged near one end of the board defining one playing field, and a second group of sockets 164 are arranged near the opposite end of the board. A sheet of tin foil 165 is glued or fixed to the under side of the board 10a, which sheet of tin foil is cut or slotted, as at 166, to separate the sheet 165 into a plurality of conductor strips 167 to connect the sockets 163 of one eld with matching sockets 164 in the adjacent field in series, in the same manner as described with respect to Figure 2. The only difference between the structure shown in Figure 2 and that of Figures l0 and l1, is that the sockets in one field in Figure 2 are connected in series with matching sockets in the adjoining field by means of insulated wires, whereas in Figures 10 and ll the matching sockets of the respective fields are connected by tin foil strips formed by cutting the sheet 165.

It should be understood that the battery and light unit 30 is removable from the board 10, and that the shield 24 is removable from the battery and light unit 30, and board 1 0,

sings-57 Rules for playing the gaine The plugs are referred to by thecolor of the wires to which they are attached,xsuch as the red'pl'ugs, which are attached to the redwires, etc.

When playing the game, one player sits` facing the pitchers mound box 114v of field B, and'. the* opponent sits facing the batters box 98 of field A. The players change positions each half inning, as in regular baseball. Before starting the game, the players agree upon a combination of nine out of thirteen defensive plugs 138, 141, 144 and 147 which are to be used, the remaining four plugs which are not used being placed in the slots 162 of the shield 24. (See Figures l andl3`.) By agreement, the combination may be changed before the start of any inning. For beginners or young players, one green, two blue, two yellow, and four red plugs, are suggested as a combination to be used for an entire game. The more red plugs used the greater the chance for a pitching duel resulting in a faster game. When less red' plugs are used, the greater the chance for a longer and higher scoring game. By adding or deducting red plugs, the type of game the players desire may be played.

The offensive player has only one plug134 to use,

(l) To plug the four sockets 99, 100, 101,r 102 in the batters box 98 for strikes, balls, fouls, and' connect. Connect means that the delivered pitch is hit` and entitles the offensive player to plug a selected playingk field socket in the eld A, see Figure 1.

(2) To plug the nine holes in, hits and fouls.

(3) To take care of specific cases inthe rules.

The defensive player uses nine of" the defensive plugs 13S, 141, 144, 147, agreed upon for'defensive use: These plugs (each color of wire representing color of connected light) are used in the nine sockets on the defensive playing field B, in any manner of defense planned. The four plugs 149, 151, 153 and 155 are used only'to plug the four sockets 115 to 118 inclusive, of the pitchers mound box 114 of defensive field B, in `any manner planned to deceive the offensive player. All plugging by the defensive player is done to determine the result obtained by the plugging of the offensive players plug. Consequently', any of the nine defensive playing field sockets or the four pitchers mound sockets may be plugged, or the plugs may be changed only before the offensive player is given the go ahead to plug. This go ahead is given by any agreed upon signal, such as by removing the hands from the plugs 'and saying there it comes-rniss itswing at it, etc. Before each delivery or pitch, the defensive player should remember that it is wise for the position of the plug in the defensive socket corresponding to the Offensive socket plugged in the play preceding, by the opponent on the batters box 98 or the playing field, to be changed. If the plug position is not changed, it is `advisable for the player to act as though a changel has been made, to mislead his opponent.

The playing pieces or men 36, shown in Figure 9, ma-y be in any number, as for instance, fifteen pieces or men about one-fourth inch high may be used. Nine may be used defensively in the playing field slots, and two offensive players coaching, one batting and three pieces as base runners, may also be used. Twenty-four men or pieces may be used if desired, comprising two teams of twelve each of selected colors and uniforms. With these, the players may have regular teams and keep batting averages, etc., in long series of games. As soon as scoring on light is agreed upon during the game by the players, the offensive player removes his plugs promptly to prolong the life of the battery. If an advanced or older player is playing a beginner or young player, a handicap of an extra one or two red wire plugs may be given to balance the game. Preferably four black pieces or men are used with the game as umpires, or they may be used in some instances as batters or base runners when other pieces or men are not available.

playing field A for outs,

In playing the game, when the plug 134 is placed in one. of the selected sockets. 99 to 102 a circuitl is closed through one of the lights and through one of'the plugs 1'49; 151', 153 or 155. For instance, if the plug 134 is placed in socket 99, and thev defensive player has socket plugged with plug 153 (blue wire plug), then the blue light 33 will be lighted indicating that a ball has been thrown by pitcher. The current will pass from battery 132 through the wi're 133, the light 33, the Wire 152, the plug 153, the socket 115, the wire119, the socket 99, the plug 134, the Wire 135, and back to battery 132.

The playsV in the field will be designated by the lights in the batteryand light unit 30. Nine of plugsV 138 toV 147v (selected before start of play) are inserted in sockets of playing fieldt of' eld B, making nine open circuits with corresponding sockets of playing field of field A; then when plug 134' is inserted in one of the selected sockets in playing field' of field A, that circuit is closed and light in battery and light unit will be lighted, color of light matching color of wire of the plug in socket of playing field of field B of that closed circuit. For instance, when the plug134 is inserted in socket 47 in field A, and when the socket 112 contains plug 1138 as a result of previous plugging by defensive player before go aheadv signal, a circuit will be closed and the current will flow from the battery 132, through wire 133 to the red lamp 31, indicating an out. The current will continue tof pass through wire 136, wire 1317, plug 138, socket 112, through wire 130, socket 47, plug 134, wire 135,` and back to the battery 132. The other circuits will be similarly closed by inserting selectedv plugs in selected sockets in the field B and' inserting plug 134 in a selected socket in field A.

The rules for playing the game in detail are as follows:

Section 1.-Set the game as defined above, the playersl selectingtheir respective elds and' mutually agreeing upon signals etc.

Section II.-Sco1'ing lights- (A) From Batters Box:

Redlight-Strike.

Green light-Connect` (see Sec. II (E)l).

Blue light-Ball Yellow light-Foul.

No light- ('see Sec. III (D) (B)- From Playing Field:

Red light-Out (see Sec. I-II (B)-2 and 3).

Green light- 2 base hit.

Bluelight-l base hit.

Yellow light-FouL No light- (see Sec. III (C)-2)-.

(C) Exceptions to A and B are those mentioned in:

(l) Rule B-l of Sec. III.

(2) Rule B-Z of Sec. III.

(3) Rule B-3 of Sec. III.

(4) Rule E of Sec. III.

(5) Rule F-2 of Sec. III.

(6)v Rule F-3 of Sec. III.

(7) Rule G of Sec. III.

(8) No light and all holes properly plugged-check battery, bulb and connections for defect with n0 penalty and the play stands when defect corrected.

(E.) Explanation:

(1) Connect in (A) above means that the delivery is hit and offensive player gets to plug playing-field.

(2) Infield green light from playing-field technically scored as base hit and error with batter taking second and base runners advancing two bases.

Section IIL-Rules (same as in regular baseball with following special ones for this game)- (A) Any rule may befadded, changed or ignored if agreed upon before beginning of the game.

(B) Advance:

(l) On hit: Base runners advance as many bases as hit indicates. All base runners (not hitter) may take one more base by declaring intention and then, after opponent has prepared Pitchers Mound, by plugging batters box: Red or yellow lightleading base runner out and others safe. Green or blue light-all safe in taking extra base.

(2) On infield out (considered grounder): Base runners go to next base only if forced to advance. When base runner is on at first and red light plugged on infield holes-then the base runner is out at second and batter is safe at first base.

(3) On outfield out (considered fiy): Base runners retain their base (Exception: With man on 3rd base, declare intention of his coming home after catch); as in Sec. III (B)-l. Red or yellow light-out and green or blue light-safe (4) On error: See Sec. II (E)-2; Sec. III (E)-4;

Sec. III (G)4; Sec. III (C)-2.

(C) Error: (l) See Sec. II (E)-2; Sec. III (E)-4; Sec.

III (G)4:

(2) No light when offensive player plugs playingfield is considered a two base error with batter taking second base and all base runners advancing two bases if defensive player has failed to place one of the defensive plugs in the corresponding hole plugged (Sec. II ((3)-8).

(D) Balk or hit batter: No light when offensive player plugs Batters Box is considered a Balk and all base runners advance one base if defensive player has failed to place one of the defensive plugs in the corresponding hole plugged-but with no base runners on, the batter is considered hit by pitched ball and takes lst base (see Sec. II(C)8).

(E) Bunt or sacrifice: With base runner or runners on, batter may declare his intention to sacrifice and then after opponent has prepared Pitchers Mound the offensive player plugs Batters Box:

(l) Red light-Batter out and `back runner out on double play.

(2) Green lightBatter safe onta bunt infield Single and all base runners advance (one base).

(3) Blue light-Batter out but all base runners advance (on sacrifice) one base.

(4) Yellow light-Batter out but all base runners advance two bases (one on the sacrifice and other on an overthrown base error).

(F) Fouls on score-board:

(l) All fouls on batter are recorded under Fouls on score-board, with the first two (as in regular baseball) recorded as strikes also if there are fewer than two strikes already recorded.

(2) With Three Fouls on score-board and offensive player plugs next from Batters Box:

(a) Red light-Batter out on three strikes and back runner (if any on) picked off making double play.

(b) Green light-Offensive player plugs play ing-field: y

(l) Red light-Batter out and lone base runner out also on double play; but with two or three base runners on-there is a triple play (disregard any out that runs over three for the half inning).

(Z) Green light- Home run.

(3) Blue light--Triple- (4) Yellow light- Recorded as 4th foul.

(c) Blue Light--Pass ball or wild pitch: All base runners advance one base. Recorded as ballon score-board and if blue light is plugged consecutively after the third foul, each scored as Pass Ball or wild pitch and as ball on scoreboard.

(d) Yellow light- Recorded as 4th foul.

8 (3) With-Four Fouls Yon score-board and offensive player plugs next from Batters Box:

(a) Red light-Batter out on three strikes and leading base runner, if any, picked off making double play.

(b) Green light-Home run.

(c) Blue light-Goes into stands for ground rule double-batter takes second and base runners advance two bases.

(d) Yellow light-Foul tip caught by catcher and batters out.

(G) Steal-Offensive player declares intention to steal (singleordouble) and after opponent has prepared Pitchers MoundJ-Batters Box" is plugged:

, (l) Red light-Out on single steal or double out ondouble steal.

(2) Green light-Successful single or double steal.

(3) Blue light-Out on single steal but only lead man out on double steal.

(4) Yellow light-All base runners stealing take two bases on successful steal and overthrown base error. Those not stealing take one base on the error.

(H) Pass ball or wild pitch-See F-(2)C of Sec. III.

(I) Defensive player may watch offensive plugging but offensive player mayV not watch defensive plugging and it shield does notV hide view, thisY fact should be made known and corrected.

(A) Score-board kept by offensive player:

(l) Strikes (red)-Kept as in regular baseball with batter out on three.

(2) Balls (blue)-Kept as in regular baseball with batter walked (takes 1st base) on four.

(3) Fouls (yellow)-Keep account of all on batteras in regular baseball they count also as first two strikes. After Three Fouls or Four Fouls see Sec. III (F) for instructions.

(4) Reset (l), (2), and (3) to zero (O) for each batter.

(5) Outs-Each out recorded with 3 outs to each half inning.

(6) Runs-Each run crossing plate recorded.

(7) Reset (5) and (6) to Zero (0) for beginning of each half inning and runs scored for the half inning kept on score sheet for the game. (Number of innings played as in regular baseball game except by agreement before beginning of game.)

(B) Defensive player calls the lights yfrom Batters Box plugging and playing-field plugging and which of the Rules in Sec. III apply-Offensive player moves his men around bases accordingly. All disagreements settled by Rules of Regular Baseball and those of Sec. III. (Sec. III Rules hold if there is a conflict.)

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new A baseball game comprising a substantially horizontal game-board including an offensive and a defensive field, each adjacent and laid out in the form of a baseball field, sockets formed in each field, the sockets in one Vfield matching the sockets in the other field and designating player positions, the sockets of one field being electrically connected in series with similar selected sockets in the ladjoining field, signals carried by the game board, a source of electrical supply, said sign-als being connected to said source of electrical supply, a plurality of selected positive defensive plugs electrically connected to selected signals and adapted to fit into selected sockets in one field, a single offensive negative plug electrically connected with the source of electrical supply and adapted to selectively fit in sockets in an adjoining field to close a circuit through one of said signals to indicate a play in the game, and an upright shield extending transversely of said game board and dividing the defensive field from the adjacent offensive ield on the line of adjacency and shielding the defensive eld only from view of the player operating the oiensive plug of the adjacent oiensive eld, the oensive iield serving also as a playing eld, the last mentioned eld being equipped with slots for receiving selectively located playing pieces.

1,518,967 Dickinson Dec. 9, 1924 10 Prentice Dec. 11, 1928 Haas Jan. 5, 1937 MacKinnon June 3, 1941 Shirey n Feb. 1, 1949 Bledsoe Sept. 19, 1950 Hutchins Jan. 12, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 1, 1933 

